Monday, 12 November 2018

It took me a while to scan them all, but for those of you who don't follow me on Twitter, you can now see my Inktober 2018 in my illustration website.

The theme I chose this year is "Versailles Wars", that is Star Wars characters in a XVII century Versailles setting.

It was a random idea that popped up in my mind one day in September, and I immediately said to myself: "Oh that's silly! I like it. It will be my Inktober! :)". It turned out to be quite challenging as well. I love challenges :)

It was a brave idea, as it is equally disliked by Star Wars haters, those who have never watched Star Wars and finally the Star Wars worshippers, who take this saga very seriously.

Also, being the characters so well known, it was an ambitious plan to make good portraits... I am not exactly a portraitist... I felt a bit of pressure!

Last but not least, even if I spent a lot of time researching costumes, I am sure there are mistakes, anachronisms, inaccurate details.

It was probably the least popular among my 4 Inktobers so far. And yet, the few who liked it, liked it very much.
Most important, I loved every minute I spent researching and drawing each page.

Saturday, 3 November 2018

And once again my birthday greetings to Masumi Hayami were not noticed by Miuchi sensei and other followers, unlike those of the other fan artists on Twitter. I don't want to think it's personal so maybe I am just bad at drawing, but I like doing it and I will not get discouraged. I stood awake until very late at night just to draw it on time. So I'll congratulate with myself for my hard work and effort. Haha

Friday, 2 November 2018

So, the Sendai Literature Museum exhibition will always held a special place in my heart, even if I didn't have a chance to be there myself.

Here's a quick update of what happened recently.

October 25th 2018

Sendai Literature Museum announces on Twitter that 10 fan art have been shortlisted and the 3 top one will receive a gift from Suzue Miuchi sensei! The 3 top one have a flower and a ribbon. My fan art is one of them! Just imagine my feelings when I saw this photo!

November 2nd 2018

However, there is a bitter sweet feeling to this exciting event in my life. First of all, the more or less subtle precence of haters among the Italian but also (at least in the past) Japanese fandom. I try not to think about it, after all haters gonna hate. I also know very nice people in both groups, and that I'd better focus on them. Nobody is liked by everyone, right? I can only hope karma will take care of everything. Live and let live!

But I'm also frustrated by the fact that several hints all seem to lead to the same conclusion, that is that I was rewarded for all my hard work as a fan rather than for the fanart itself. Mind you, there were some great digital artworks at the exhibition and I am aware that my drawing didn't stand out next to them, but at the same time my fanart never gets acknowledged, liked or retweeted when I post it on Twitter, and Miuchi sensei herself congratulated to everybody else apart from me, so it's hard not to wonder why I am so invisible online now when once upon a time I was the only one with an encyclopedic English fansite... Yeah the imposter syndrome is out in full force and ruining my happiness.

Anyway, I'm overall content, and I mean to keep drawing, and focus also on other stuff than this manga. I can't afford visiting Japan or buying all the merchandise I dream of buying, so this postcard is still a special item of my collection. Yeah!

Also, I'll be endlessly grateful to Sendai Literature Museum and if one day I have a chance to be in the area, I will definitely pay a visit. The nature surrounding it seems pretty beautiful too, so what's not to like?